...deployed.

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

He has agreed to waive his thirty days and leave on the 11th of July instead of the 13th. They originally asked him to leave on the 9th when another unit was shipping out, but he didn't want to, so they compromised and agreed on the 11th instead.

Next week Wednesday, guys.

Lady's Human, please keep me updated on what you know. What happens next?

[Lady's Human]

I was in the military for 20 years, I'm just waiting on my retirement orders (Some )(@*#&)@(! paper pusher screwed up and didn't check one of the boxes, I was supposed to retire in May).

I was the Operations Sergeant for a Mobilization team, which is the same type of organization which runs Camp Shelby. I was also a Unit Assistor for several deploying units. The Unit Assistor aids the deploying unit command with dotting the "i"s and crossing the "t"s prior to deployment, and is one of the people charged with ensuring that the deploying unit's training and personnel are up to snuff. (Actually the unit I'm retiring from has several people at Shelby as trainers.) In addition, I was a trainer for weapons ranges and communications classes.

Unless they have radically changed the deployment process (highly doubtful), when he gets to Shelby he will undergo further medical screening within 72 hours of arrival. If they find a problem which will keep him from deploying, he will be released back to his home unit or higher command within 10 days of arrival.

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

I saw him for the last time tonight.

It was bittersweet- he was in his uniform (he looks so charming in his uniform ) and he gave me a hug and it was great, until he drove away, then I lost it. I cried the whole way home and I still have tears streaming down my face.

You have to understand that this friend was more than just my boss and a great friend-- he was like my dad. I've lost my relationship with my dad over the past two years with the addition of a step-family. Slowly but surely, I am losing the people that I thought I could trust... Angie has turned into a very controlling person and I can't talk to her like I used to be able to. My dad has started devoting most of his attention to her and her family. My mom and I have never been close. My friends are ditching me for bigger and better things--alcohol and drugs. Butch became the one person I knew would ALWAYS be there for me, night or day. He TOLD me he would be there for me whenever I needed him, and he always was. Now that he's gone, who do I turn to? It's like I've been kicked out of the car on a roadtrip in the middle of nowhere, some deserted highway with nothing but the clothes on my back. I have nowhere to turn.

I know I need to rekindle things with my dad. I know. I'm not one to share my feelings easily though. Maybe through time, things will work out, but right now, I'm just broken hearted and lost.